The Winnipeg Jets didn’t bring in any players before the NHL trade deadline, but they did lock up one of their pending unrestricted free agents on Wednesday.

After several teams had inquired about his services, defenceman Mark Stuart came to terms with the Jets on a four-year contract worth $10.5 million, which carries an average annual value of 2.625 and represents a raise of nearly one million per season.

“It was something we had been working on for a little bit now and it came together very, very quickly in the end,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “I’m very pleased and excited to announce that Mark will be part of our of our organization moving forward here and a big part of the leadership group.

“I spoke to Mark a couple of minutes ago and he certainly had a desire to stay in Winnipeg. He wanted to be part of our organization going forward.”

Stuart, 29, has two goals, nine points and 81 penalty minutes in 50 games this season and leads the Jets in hits (163) and blocked shots (118).

Originally a first-round pick (21st overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft), Stuart had previously expressed interest in remaining with the Jets for the long run and he ensured that would be the case on Wednesday afternoon.

Stuart will talk about the extension on Thursday, following the morning skate prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings.

But the news was received well by Stuart’s defence partner Jacob Trouba.

“Couldn't be happier to see Stuey is staying in Winnipeg for 4 more years. Great partner and even better teammate,” Trouba wrote on Twitter before adding the hashtag #stuuuuuu.

For the second consecutive season, the Jets stood pat at the deadline.

Cheveldayoff said he aggressively pursued players on the rental market and worked to address the hole at centre created by the loss of Mark Scheifele for an extended period because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

There was also interest generated in his other five pending unrestricted free agents, though Cheveldayoff said the group deserved the chance to play out the stretch drive after going 11-3-2 since head coach Paul Maurice took over as head coach to pull within a point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“There was some interest. We could have gone into a selling mode very, very easily,” said Cheveldayoff. “When you really want to get into that mode, you have to be extremely aggressive with it. When the calls did come with respect to some of our UFAs ... you have to set your own thoughts on what you would like in return, or if you want to go into that mode.

“We’re very proud of the job these guys have done getting themselves back into this (race). We’re excited to see the level of enthusiasm that is there from the guys’ level of caring. Certainly when you get a curve ball thrown at you like yesterday, it’ll be an interesting testament to their will and their character moving forward on how they’re going to react.”

As Advertised in the Winnipeg SUN

Stuart signed to four-year extension by Jets

The Winnipeg Jets didn’t bring in any players before the NHL trade deadline, but they did lock up one of their pending unrestricted free agents on Wednesday.

After several teams had inquired about his services, defenceman Mark Stuart came to terms with the Jets on a four-year contract worth $10.5 million, which carries an average annual value of 2.625 and represents a raise of nearly one million per season.

“It was something we had been working on for a little bit now and it came together very, very quickly in the end,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “I’m very pleased and excited to announce that Mark will be part of our of our organization moving forward here and a big part of the leadership group.

“I spoke to Mark a couple of minutes ago and he certainly had a desire to stay in Winnipeg. He wanted to be part of our organization going forward.”

Stuart, 29, has two goals, nine points and 81 penalty minutes in 50 games this season and leads the